Recovery of Bladder and Sexual Function After Spinal Cord Injury

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Bladder and sexual dysfunction consistently ranks as one of the top disorders affecting quality of life after spinal cord injury. The insights of how activity-based training affects bladder function may prove to be useful to other patient populations with bladder and sexual dysfunction such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and stroke, as well as stimulate investigations of training's effects within other systems such as bowel dysfunction. Locomotor training could help promote functional recovery and any insights gained from these studies will enhance further investigation of the effect of bladder functioning after spinal cord injury. In addition, as suggested by a study of one of our initial participants, a reduction in the use and/or dosage of medication to enhance sexual function is a possible outcome, medications which carry risks and side effects.

Detailed Description

Objectives: To determine the effects of weight-bearing task-specific training for locomotion (stepping on a treadmill) after traumatic incomplete and complete spinal cord injury in humans on a) urodynamic parameters and b) sexual function outcomes. Weight-bearing (stand-only) and non-weight-bearing exercise (i.e. arm crank) will serve as controls.

The weight-bearing activity-based intervention will be provided via a standardized locomotor training program that is provided clinically at Frazier Rehab Institute within the NeuroRecovery Network (NRN); or similar interventions in a research protocol of stepping (IRB 07.0066).

Other Name: Locomotor training

Procedure: Activity-based stand training

The weight-bearing activity-based intervention will be provided via a standardized locomotor training program that is provided clinically at Frazier Rehab Institute within the NeuroRecovery Network (NRN); or similar interventions in a research protocol of stand only program (07.0268). The stand only intervention may also be provided as part of this study.

To understand the effects of weight-bearing activity-based locomotor therapy on bladder function and sexual function. Activity-based locomotor training interventions include locomotor step training with a harness and body-weight support, 5 days a week for a total of 80, 1-hour sessions.

Intervention: Procedure: Activity-based locomotor training

Experimental: Activity-based stand training

To understand the effects of weight-bearing activity-based stand therapy on bladder and sexual function. Activity-based stand training interventions include stand training with a harness and body-weight support or stand training over ground, 5 days a week for a total of 80, 1-hour sessions.

Intervention: Procedure: Activity-based stand training

Experimental: Activity-based upper arm ergometry

To understand the effects of non-weight-bearing activity-based stand therapy on bladder and sexual function. Activity-based upper arm ergometry interventions may include arm crank training (upper arm ergometry) in while seated in the wheelchair 5 days a week for a total of 80, 1-hour sessions.